The Final Showdown

 

            Forgotten One was cured!

            The brainy Emerald diagnosed the poison, mixed up an antidote, administered the antidote, and left all in fifteen minutes, well before Silver and gang returned. Perhaps Emerald was in a rush to avoid seeing her sisters again.

            It was now five days since the trip to F.W.L., the five of them, Silver and his wife, Sparow and his wife, and lastly Forgotten One were standing on a large rock, overlooking an eerie looking cave.

            “I was expecting more of a welcoming committee,” Sparow said as he peered down at the cave below.

            The area below wasn’t completely empty, there was a lone guard standing between them and the cave, it was Crimson.

            “Crimson is mine,” Forgotten One voice was filled with anger. “I distract him while you guys sneak around. It be best to save your energy for Nightmare…you’ll need it.”

            Silver had mixed feelings for his uncle. On one hand Forgotten One was used and later thrown away like a piece of garbage. On the other hand he was still a jerk.

            Offering no objection Silver nodded his agreement, jerk or not, Forgotten One was probably right about needing every ounce of strength to battle Nightmare.

 

            Forgotten One only had one objective, to get his son back. He had no interest in his nephew’s fight. They were both just like their father, foolish, always fighting when they should be running; the two of them are going to get them killed taking on Nightmare, but that wasn’t his problem. Crimson was his problem.

            “So you are still,” Crimson spotted Forgotten One as he approached. “The brats are more resourceful then I thought.”

            “Where’s my son?” Forgotten One demanded.

            “Didn’t the brats tell you, he’s Nightmare son.”

            Forgotten One shook his head, “Nightmare didn’t raise him, I did. I don’t care who fathered Hawk, I raised him as my own.”

            “You were a lousy father. As Hawk’s uncle, I will not allow you to come near him.”

            “Uncle?”

            “You didn’t know? I’m Rosa’s older brother.”

            “Even more reason to beat you,” Forgotten One drew his Fire Rod.

            “Just try it,” Crimson drew his sword.

            They both charged.

 

            “You think Forgotten One is alright?” a concerned Sapphire asked.

            “Who care, at least he did his job,” the cold voice of Sparow answered.

            The four of them were now near the cave entrance, but something didn’t feel right.

            “Don’t take another step,” a female voice said from the shadows.

            “Unless you are in a hurry to die,” A second colder female voice said.

            There was no mistaking the voices; they belong to their mothers, Rosa and Celes. The two women stepped out of the shadows to block the caves entrance.

            “You two go ahead, we take care of them,” Ruby said, before throwing a small fireball causing Rosa and Celes to dive to safety, just enough distraction to let Silver and Sparow rush inside of the cave.

           

            Celes was the first back on her feet, “It doesn’t matter that screw up Sparow will never get to Nightmare. I just have to make sure you don’t save him again.”

            Celes didn’t waste any time, immediately she formed a black ice crystal and sent it flying towards Ruby.

            “One day you will realize how strong Sparow is. Perhaps I can help melt some of the ice in your heart,” Ruby easily melted the ice with another blast of fire.

            Sapphire had her attention on Ruby and Celes, she almost didn’t see Rosa take aim, and fire an arrow at her.

            “Normally I would forgive anyone for anything they do,” a gust of wind blew the arrow off course. “But Rosa, I can never forgive you for the pain you caused my husband.”

            Sapphire drew her sword.

            Ruby uncoiled her whip.

            And the fight was on.

 

            Not very far into the cave was an intersection, one path leading off to the right, the other leading to the right.

            “I’m going left,” Silver rushed ahead, knowing Sparow would go the other way.

            Silver was correct.

            Not far down the path, a figure blocked Silver’s path. It was Hawk, now with dyed black hair, and sporting black chain mail.

            “I can not allow you to harm my father,” Hawk stared coldly at Silver.

            “I’m surprised you even know who your father is anymore,” Silver allowed himself to smile, not taking Hawk very serious.

            “My father has taught me the ways of the dark side,” Hawk’s voice matched his cold stare. “Now you too will feel the power of the dark side.”

            Silver cocked his head and stared oddly at Hawk, “Been watching too many movies?”

            Hawk’s answer came not with words, but with his fist. Silver easily dodged the left hook of Hawk, and responded with a quick kick to the guy.

            Hawk was left breathless for a moment, before drawing his sword, and attacking Silver again. This time it was a well placed kick to the hand to unarm Hawk, followed by a roundhouse kick to Hawk’s jaw.

            Hawk went down hard.

            Silver looked down on his half brother and smiled, “I love to stay and play some more, but I got a date to keep.”

            Silver rushed off as Hawk’s eyes fluttered closed.

 

            Silver reached the end of the tunnel in only minutes. The tunnel now opened up to a large open area. The area was littered with furniture; everything you would need to survive was within eyesight

            Nightmare was also here, his back turned to Silver.

            “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” Silver joked.

            Nightmare turned to face Silver, “How did you find me?”

            Silver paused for a moment, puzzled, “… you invited me.”

            “I did no such thing!”

            “Quit playing dumb, this ends today,” Silver drew his sword and charged.

 

            “I’m glad you made it brother,” Raven stood in Sparow’s way.

            Sparow let an uncharacteristic smile sink onto his face, “Just the man I was hopping to see.”

            Raven also smiled, his a much colder one, “You still think you can beat me?”

            “Think?” Sparow drew his sword. “No, I know I can beat you.”

            “Such foolishness will get you killed,” raven smile disappeared.

            Sparow attacked first.

            Raven did not draw his sword; instead he blocked every one of Sparow’s blows with his metal claws. “Is that all you got?” Raven questioned.

            “No,” Sparow did not allow his frustration to show. “Ice-“

            Raven sunk his claw deep into Sparow’s stomach.

            “Sorry I don’t have time for your magic tricks,” Raven pulled his bloody claw free.

            “This isn’t ov…er,” darkness closer in on Sparow.

           

            Silver easily had Nightmare beat; all the training must have done well. Silver closed in for one final blow, when Raven suddenly appeared before Silver.

            “Son, you are here,” Nightmare said with relief.

            Raven turned his back on Silver and faced his father, “You are pathetic.”

            With blinding quickness raven drew his large sword at struck once. Raven’s sword sliced through Nightmares neck like it was paper. The headless Nightmare collapsed before Silver could even gasp his surprise.

            “What a feeble old man,” Raven kicked the head of Nightmare aside like it was a kick ball. “It was I who invited you here.”

            Silver was speechless, Raven’s complete disregard for his father made Sparow look like mother’s little boy.

            “Cat got your tongue?” Raven motioned towards the shadows. “I think it’s time I show you the reason why I invited you here.”

            An old man stepped out of the shadows. His long hair and beard were a dull gray, he wore a simple black robe, and an open book was floating in front of him. His face was lacking all emotion, but it didn’t have to, Silver knew the man well. Knowing the man was one thing, believing he was there in front of Silver was another thing.

            “It can’t be…”

            “Oh but it is,” Raven laughed manacling.

 

            Is Sparow still alive? Who is this old man Silver knows so well, and why is so shocked to see him? Lastly why did Raven murder his own father?

 

                                                                                                            To be continued…